Condolences Received

Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home

Sunday, November 08, 2009

TO THE FAMILY OF RICHARD DAWSON

Fran,

I was so saddened to learn of Rich's passing. We worked together for several years at tesa tape in Middletown. I thought of him often after the plant closed and we went our separate ways and always remembered him fondly. On the outside he tried to appear tough and hard (especially when he was in the role of union shop steward!), but it didn't take long to see deeper into the man and realize he was a soft-hearted, kind and generous person. I witnessed him give to others in ways many wouldn't take the time to do, from a ride home, to lending lunch money, to visiting a coworker in the hospital daily when he was seriously injured. He made me mad at times, but he also made me laugh, and always he had my admiration and respect.

Fran, know that his life touched many. He often spoke lovingly about his family (and his dogs!) and was never embarrassed to do so. My thoughts are with you and your family.

TO THE FAMILY OF HAROLD BEAMS

To The Family of Harold Les Beams

We wish to send our condolences to the family of Les Beams. Les and my mother, Janna Cummings, became friends when my father, Earl Cummings, had passed away, and Les's wife pasted away. They were members of the same church, and knew each other for several years. Les and Janna kept each other company as each day passed, going to church, going on picnics to High Point, lunches and dinners fixed by my mother. My husband Bob and I met Les on one of our trips out to Port Jervis from our home in Reno Nevada. Right away, the both of us could see how much Les and my mother needed to keep each other company since they were left alone. We enjoyed listening to Les talk about his life growing up in the country. After a few trips back and forth to Port Jervis, Les became a good friend to the both of us. At one point, when we were at the airport, and getting ready to depart, Les told us (in private) that he was so grateful for my mother to allow him to spend time together and not be by himself. His eyes teared up as he spoke to us explaining his gratitude. We told Les that we appreciated the time he spent with my mother also, since she was left alone too.

When Les started loosing his eye sight, my mom would take him to his doctors appointments because he couldn't drive a car any longer. It was sad when he became to much for my mom to handle, and he needed to have 24 hour care in Middletown. She always went to see him once or twice a week, and when we visited her in Port Jervis, she took us to visit with Les. We would take him out for lunch and he would tell us about another story during his life. We were amazed that he never flew in an airplane because he was afraid of heights. Even taking him over high bridges or steep mountain cliff areas, he would get a little nervous. We tried to get him to come out to Reno for a visit when my mom would fly out for a couple of weeks. But no way! He was stubborn about.

Les definitely played an important part in our lives. My mother is how living out here with us because she suffers from dementia, and couldn't live alone any longer. She is saddened for the loss of her friend Les, as we are. We just wanted to let you know how much Les made a difference in our lives.